Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Johnston family for the loss of your dear loved one. God keeps those who have fallen asleep in death in His memory because they are precious in his eyes “Psalm 116:15” also “John 5:28,29”

—, ,

I had lost touch with his move from DC and kept wondering how he was doing. I missed wishing him well. Kristen, get in touch, if you will.
Over the years we have had some memorable occasions. He was so kind and generous and I so appreciate his tour of DC with my sister Virginia and I. There were few dignitaries he missed locating. He was a good friend keeping me updated on 'Tosa High classmates and happenings. It was my privilege to be his friend.

—Denyse DuBrucq, Dayton, , OH

My prayer are with the family whom I have never met,, but Rod shared with me so proudly their pictures and experiences in their lives together. I am so sadden by the passing of a friend of 63 years. GOD loves this beautiful human being

—Susanne Pfeil, Woodbury, Mn

May the friends and family of Mr. Johnston find comfort in the Bible's promises that soon, "all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out" (John 5:28, 29), and "[God] will wipe out every tear from [our] eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." (Revelation 21:3, 4). We can also rest assured that God 'will swallow up death forever, and He will wipe away the tears from all faces...for He himself has spoken it.' (Isaiah 25:8) https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/about-life-and-death/

—Paulaina, ,

I am so very sorry for your loss. May the wonderful memories you have of Rodney bring you comfort during this difficult time and may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and Jehovah God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness, comfort your hearts and make you firm.”—2 Thess. 2:16, 17. Please go to jw.org to find the answer to any bible questions you may have.

—S Love, , Ga

Rod and I were classmates at USNA (class of '59), 24th Company. He was a gentleman and a good friend. He will be missed. Condolences to the family.

—Ed Hill, Catonsville, MD

My condolences to the family. May you find comfort in the scripture at Revelation 21:4 and the website jw. org.

—Niecy, Savannah, GA

I'm sorry for your loss. It is never easy to lose someone we love. The Bible gives a sure hope of a resurrection. The scripture found at Isaiah 25:8 tells us that one day soon God will put an end to death. Please visit jw.org for more comforting information on this subject.

—Kelly, Pooler, Ga

My sincere condolences to the family sorry for your loss. Continue to pray an trust in our Heavenly Father who is the "God of all comfort"(2 Corinthians 1:3,4).

—Kay F , Savannah , GA

So very sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. Please find some comfort in the words at Psalm 46:1 where it tells us that God is a refuge and strength, he is readily found in times of distress. Continue to rely on him during this difficult time.

—D K, ,

May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your heart and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus .( Philippians 4:7 )

—Dorothy , Dacula,

“Almighty God, in raising Jesus Christ from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death and brought us hope of everlasting life." Confession of Sin What a lovely man we lost. But he is not “lost” because he has transitioned to "everlasting life." Over the years probably all have noticed that Rod was positive and upbeat and never said an unkind word about anyone. (Well, except for some politicians....) We can all learn from him. Even though divorced he never said an unkind word about Angela; in fact he said only kind comments about her being a good person and mother. He never remarried and perhaps one reason for this is that he was deeply committed to the Catholic faith and saw marriage as a lifetime commitment. In the final prayers he was able to say most of the prayers by heart. He loved all his children passionately and other members of the extended family. He was a strong person in all ways and up until his passing he was always wanting to get up and do things. It was very sad that family members were not with him when he died. Kay was trying very hard to visit and had planned an early April trip. However, he had three caring and loving people. Mary, his chief care taker, is a very spiritual person and prayed for him and those dear to him every day. A wonderful hospice worker walked in the door as Rod took his last breath. Mary Lou and Jimmy from across the hall rushed over a few minutes after his passing. They were also present in the condo for the beautiful prayer service conducted by father Ryan from Memorial Catholic Church on Tybee Island. The father told Mary Lou and Jimmy when they were at his Mass on Easter that he was planning on visiting Rod again on Easter.

Beverly was present and had been spending her time on a little cot by his bed for days so she could help him transition. One day she was in the kitchen and he called “Mom.” Beverly and Mary thought he was just confused but when they went in to check on him he had both arms up as if he were hugging someone. Was Loretta there welcoming him? He was not confused.

Rod’s favorite opera was Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti. He had first heard it in grade school and many years later a classmate played it at the Naval Academy so he rediscovered it.

Was it a coincident that Beverly turned on Turner Classic Movies on Good Friday and two movies were featuring this opera?

Perhaps nothing happens by accident? At National Presbyterian church in Washington, DC, where Beverly rushed for Easter, the sermon was about the resurrection and its centrality to Christianity. In it the minister said Christ was like an elevator and would always be there to help one climb spiritually.

Strange that one of the cats hanging out at the condo was and is always running to the elevator to ride it up….Could this small grey cat be a living metaphor for Christ?

Beverly felt the service at National Presbyterian was very special. Her father had been senior pastor many years before and she felt his presence. And when the organist, playing on one of the best organs in DC, performed the “Toccata” by Charles-Marie Widor she thought she was climbing to heaven.

“Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new. Hear our grateful praise, O Risen Lord, as we celebrate your wondrous love and eternal glory.” Confession of Sin

Rodney Kohler Johnston, 80, died March 30, 2018 at his home on Tybee Island, GA. He was born in Wisconsin and was a 1959 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and received his law degree from George Washington University. He had a very distinguished career as a Prosecutor and in public service, also serving as a Senator in Wisconsin.

He is survived by his three children, Scott, Kristen, and Julie.

Inurnment in the columbarium at the U.S. Naval Academy will be held at a later date.

Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Johnston family for the loss of your dear loved one. God keeps those who have fallen asleep in death in His memory because they are precious in his eyes “Psalm 116:15” also “John 5:28,29”

—, ,

I had lost touch with his move from DC and kept wondering how he was doing. I missed wishing him well. Kristen, get in touch, if you will.
Over the years we have had some memorable occasions. He was so kind and generous and I so appreciate his tour of DC with my sister Virginia and I. There were few dignitaries he missed locating. He was a good friend keeping me updated on 'Tosa High classmates and happenings. It was my privilege to be his friend.

—Denyse DuBrucq, Dayton, , OH

My prayer are with the family whom I have never met,, but Rod shared with me so proudly their pictures and experiences in their lives together. I am so sadden by the passing of a friend of 63 years. GOD loves this beautiful human being

—Susanne Pfeil, Woodbury, Mn

May the friends and family of Mr. Johnston find comfort in the Bible's promises that soon, "all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out" (John 5:28, 29), and "[God] will wipe out every tear from [our] eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." (Revelation 21:3, 4). We can also rest assured that God 'will swallow up death forever, and He will wipe away the tears from all faces...for He himself has spoken it.' (Isaiah 25:8) https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/about-life-and-death/

—Paulaina, ,

I am so very sorry for your loss. May the wonderful memories you have of Rodney bring you comfort during this difficult time and may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and Jehovah God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness, comfort your hearts and make you firm.”—2 Thess. 2:16, 17. Please go to jw.org to find the answer to any bible questions you may have.

—S Love, , Ga

Rod and I were classmates at USNA (class of '59), 24th Company. He was a gentleman and a good friend. He will be missed. Condolences to the family.

—Ed Hill, Catonsville, MD

My condolences to the family. May you find comfort in the scripture at Revelation 21:4 and the website jw. org.

—Niecy, Savannah, GA

I'm sorry for your loss. It is never easy to lose someone we love. The Bible gives a sure hope of a resurrection. The scripture found at Isaiah 25:8 tells us that one day soon God will put an end to death. Please visit jw.org for more comforting information on this subject.

—Kelly, Pooler, Ga

My sincere condolences to the family sorry for your loss. Continue to pray an trust in our Heavenly Father who is the "God of all comfort"(2 Corinthians 1:3,4).

—Kay F , Savannah , GA

So very sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. Please find some comfort in the words at Psalm 46:1 where it tells us that God is a refuge and strength, he is readily found in times of distress. Continue to rely on him during this difficult time.

—D K, ,

May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your heart and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus .( Philippians 4:7 )